Scottish Executive

Communication Impairment

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what information is available in relation to communication impairment in (a) people with mental health problems, (b) young offenders, and (c) people with learning disabilities.

Malcolm Chisholm: The Health Department is developing a range of equality and diversity partnerships aimed at delivering the Partnership for Care  commitment of ensuring that whatever the individual circumstances of people’s lives they have access to the right health services for their needs. Central to this is ensuring that staff have the training and support to communicate effectively with individuals who may have a communication impairment.

  The National Programme for Improving Mental Health and Well-Being, for example, is establishing partnerships with a number of organisations representing the interests of people with sensory impairment to take forward work in relation to mental health and sensory impairment. This work aims to collect information and data on needs across Scotland; identify what services are currently available and what the main gaps are in relation to promotion, prevention and care and treatment services. Specific service examples will be identified and good and emerging practice highlighted. The work is due to start in autumn 2004 and will continue until March 2006.

  Similarly, People with Learning Disabilities in Scotland, a Health Needs Assessment Report published by NHS Health Scotland in February, sets out at pages 36 and 37 information about sensory impairments in people with learning disabilities. A copy of which is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 32825).

  The Scottish Prison Service have informed us that their main young offender institution at Polmont keeps records relating to Speech and Language Communication Therapy needs, and there are estimates of poor literacy and numeracy skills, which lead to communication impairment. In the last reporting year 26% of those assessed were offered therapy, including 6% whose hearing ability was checked. At least 70% of young offenders have problems with poor literacy and numeracy.

Community Care

Mr Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what each local authority charged for domestic care in each of the last five years for which records are available.

Mr Tom McCabe: This information is not held centrally.

Drug Misuse

Miss Annabel Goldie (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many meetings it has had with Scotland Against Drugs in the last year.

Hugh Henry: The Executive is represented by an assessor on Scotland Against Drugs’ Steering Group which meets every six months. Last year there were two routine meetings of the steering group plus a special meeting to look at future strategy. The Executive attended all of these meetings.

  In addition, Executive officials met with staff of Scotland Against Drugs on an ad hoc basis.

Drug Misuse

Miss Annabel Goldie (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many meetings it has had with the Scottish Drugs Forum in the last year.

Hugh Henry: The Executive attends meetings of Scottish Drugs Forum’s Board of Management in the capacity of an observer. The board meets quarterly. In 2003 the Executive’s observer attended all of its meetings.

  In addition, Executive officials met with staff of Scottish Drugs Forum on an ad hoc basis.

Drug and Alcohol Misuse

Miss Annabel Goldie (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review the functions and objectives of drug and alcohol action teams.

Hugh Henry: We are consulting Alcohol Action Teams on the updating of the Plan for Action on Alcohol Problems . One of the proposals is to review the role and functions of these Teams. We are also considering the recommendations from our review of drug treatment and rehabilitation services, some of which refer to the role of Drug Action Teams.

Education

Mr David Davidson (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has had, or intends to have, meetings with the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) with regard to the role of subject principal teachers.

Peter Peacock: My officials and I meet regularly with representatives from the EIS to discuss matters of interest to them. I hope to meet with them again soon.

Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that commercial confidentiality is a sufficient explanation for withholding information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

Cathy Jamieson: Under section 33 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 information is exempt from disclosure if its disclosure would be likely to prejudice substantially the commercial interest of any person. Before applying such an exemption however a public authority would have to consider whether the public interest in disclosure is outweighed by the need to maintain exemption.

Gaelic

Mr Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to promote the future well-being of the Scots language, in light of its support for Gaelic culture and language.

Mr Frank McAveety: The Scottish Executive considers Scots to be an important part of Scotland’s linguistic and cultural heritage. There is a range of groups supporting and promoting Scots in Scotland, some of which receive support from the Scottish Arts Council. The Executive has also advocated the inclusion of Scots in the school curriculum where appropriate.

  The Executive is committed to the introduction of a national language strategy during the course of this Parliament which will take account of the distinctive position of different languages used in Scotland. The approach to Scots in the future will form part of that strategy.

Health

Mr David Davidson (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time is for head CT scans for patients referred with chronic headaches in each NHS board.

Malcolm Chisholm: The information requested is not available centrally.

Higher Education

Mr David Davidson (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many university teachers have left Scotland to take up posts in other parts of the United Kingdom in each of the last five years.

Mr Jim Wallace: The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) collects data on the number of academic staff who have left each institution to go to another UK Higher Education Institution (HEI), but this data does not record whether the UK HEI to which the staff member has moved is within or outwith Scotland. The figures for Scotland given in the following table therefore includes movements between Scottish HEIs as well as movements from Scottish HEIs to HEIs in the rest of the UK .

  Academic Staff who Left a Scottish HEI to Work at Another UK HEI, 1998-99 to 2002-03

  

 
 All Staff
 Permanent 
  Staff
 Fixed-Term/Contract/Casual 
  Staff


 1998-99
 161
 50
 111


 1999-2000
 238
 67
 171


 2000-01
 194
 70
 124


 2001-02
 212
 67
 145


 2002-03
 170
 60
 110



  For 2002-03, this total represents around 1% of the entire academic staff body in Scotland, and around 19% of all those academic staff who left Scottish HEIs in that year. This proportion is significantly lower than comparable staff movements in England and the rest of the UK, where, for 2002-03, 26% of those who left moved on to another UK HEI or academic institution.

  The Phase 3 review of higher education highlighted the lack of data on movement between Scottish and non-Scottish UK HEIs, and the importance of this gathering information in the future, if the impact on staff flows of shifts in perception about the competitiveness of Scottish HEIs is to be tracked. We plan to discuss how data on this issue might be improved with Universities Scotland.

Maternity Services

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that a range of options was adequately considered prior to the development of plans for the reconfiguration of maternity services in Greater Glasgow.

Malcolm Chisholm: I am considering the extent to which Greater Glasgow NHS Board considered all of the possible options for the reconfiguration of maternity services in Glasgow.

Maternity Services

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the impact on patient transport costs will be of plans for the reconfiguration of maternity services in Greater Glasgow.

Malcolm Chisholm: Transport issues are a very important matter which I am considering as part of my wider consideration of the board's proposals.

Maternity Services

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it is giving to proposals for the closure of the Queen Mother’s Hospital as part of the plans for reconfiguration of maternity services in Greater Glasgow.

Malcolm Chisholm: I am considering the report of the outcome of consultation from NHS Greater Glasgow and all other information available to me. I will continue to listen to representations made by all interested stakeholders.

Maternity Services

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider further representations on the proposals for closing the Queen Mother’s Hospital as part of plans for the reconfiguration of maternity services in Greater Glasgow.

Malcolm Chisholm: I will continue to consider all information available to me and all representations made to me before coming to a view.

Maternity Services

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has to reject proposals for the closure of the Queen Mother’s Hospital as part of plans for the reconfiguration of maternity services in Greater Glasgow.

Malcolm Chisholm: In line with all proposals for major service change, the board's proposals for maternity services in Glasgow are subject to ministerial consideration and approval.

Maternity Services

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-3831 by Malcolm Chisholm on 17 November 2003, whether it is satisfied that a regional approach to planning maternity provision has been made in respect of plans for the reconfiguration of maternity services in Greater Glasgow.

Malcolm Chisholm: The report of the Expert Group on Acute Maternity Services makes it clear that local planning and commissioning of maternity services should take place within a regional context. The Scottish Executive has provided £50,000 non-recurrent funding to each of the regions to fund a Regional Maternity Services Co-ordinator. Greater Glasgow are in the process of recruiting into this post.

  In considering Greater Glasgow's proposal for their re-configuration of maternity services I will be looking at the degree to which Greater Glasgow have taken a regional approach to maternity provision.

Maternity Services

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-3831 by Malcolm Chisholm on 17 November 2003, whether there is now a case for a central review of maternity services to determine the cross-flow of patients between NHS boards as a result of plans for the reconfiguration of maternity services in Greater Glasgow.

Malcolm Chisholm: As I indicated in my previous answer, the overview report of the Expert Group on Acute Maternity Services (2002) states clearly the need for boards to take a regional approach to planning maternity services and consideration of cross-flow of patients from other board areas should be part of this. To help facilitate regional planning in maternity services, the Executive has given each Regional Planning Group £50,000 (non-recurrent) to fund a Regional Maternity Service Co-ordinator.

  The reconfiguration of maternity services in Glasgow does not make a case for a central review of maternity services to determine cross-flow of patients across NHS boards in Scotland.

  I have received an update from NHS Argyll and Clyde and NHS Greater Glasgow on progress to address issues on the pattern of patient choice between Paisley and Glasgow. The two NHS boards will continue to monitor the choices women are making over the coming months.

Maternity Services

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the costs will be of consultants from the Royal Hospital for Sick Children working off-site as a result of the closure of the Queen Mother’s Hospital as part of plans for the reconfiguration of maternity services in Greater Glasgow.

Malcolm Chisholm: This is a matter for Greater Glasgow NHS Board.

NHS Funding

Mr David Davidson (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been allocated to each NHS board in each financial year since 1995-96.

Malcolm Chisholm: Details are as follows:

  

 Health Board
 1995-96
(£ Million)
 1996-97
(£ Million)
 1997-98
(£ Million)
 1998-99
(£ Million)


 Argyll and Clyde
 334.680
 355.580
 369.280
 385.918


 Ayrshire and Arran
 281.609
 292.000
 312.543
 325.386


 Borders
 86.752
 90.497
 93.431
 96.754


 Dumfries and Galloway
 121.292
 128.351
 133.144
 139.973


 Fife
 253.756
 261.522
 277.017
 285.584


 Forth Valley
 204.072
 209.013
 220.009
 232.054


 Grampian
 386.461
 405.793
 423.147
 440.147


 Greater Glasgow
 795.767
 810.221
 847.501
 868.493


 Highland
 174.254
 179.418
 189.089
 195.157


 Lanarkshire
 390.133
 410.129
 437.414
 455.550


 Lothian
 586.086
 600.996
 633.152
 658.341


 Orkney
 19.794
 19.970
 20.402
 22.273


 Shetland
 22.033
 21.624
 22.476
 24.016


 Tayside
 336.335
 360.171
 364.917
 381.336


 Western Isles
 35.842
 33.942
 35.245
 36.410



  

 Health Board
 1999-2000
(£ Million)
 2000-01
(£ Million)
 2001-02
(£ Million)
 2002-03
(£ Million)
 2003-04
(£ Million)


 Argyll and Clyde
 399.945
 429.153
 454.343
 476.764
 506.771


 Ayrshire and Arran
 340.764
 367.498
 386.696
 412.956
 444.554


 Borders
 101.248
 106.946
 111.389
 117.690
 126.762


 Dumfries and Galloway
 148.004
 153.781
 162.489
 173.251
 185.122


 Fife
 297.928
 320.117
 334.372
 353.873
 382.916


 Forth Valley
 243.711
 264.599
 276.361
 294.722
 306.831


 Grampian
 455.518
 488.023
 502.968
 539.080
 572.913


 Greater Glasgow
 910.908
 972.687
 1,034.981
 1,115.237
 1,174.588


 Highland
 197.843
 213.226
 231.063
 246.927
 264.368


 Lanarkshire
 477.668
 513.363
 554.346
 574.003
 615.130


 Lothian
 681.295
 729.672
 771.940
 775.075
 881.566


 Orkney
 21.427
 22.375
 24.498
 25.696
 26.402


 Shetland
 24.782
 26.636
 28.239
 30.974
 33.220


 Tayside
 396.642
 425.536
 459.060
 473.887
 492.615


 Western Isles
 36.903
 39.791
 43.869
 46.515
 50.085



  Notes:

  1. The allocations for 1995-96 to 2002-03 are the final cash limited/unified budgets and actual expenditure for demand-led family health services for those years.

  2. The allocations for 2003-04 are the final cash limited/unified budgets and estimated expenditure for demand-led family health services.

NHS Staff

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the percentage vacancy rate is for consultant psychologists.

Malcolm Chisholm: As part of our drive to improve the quality of workforce information, ISDScotland plans to publish vacancy statistics for staff in psychology services later in 2004.

Nuclear Power

Ms Rosemary Byrne (South of Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive which body is responsible for monitoring the operation of Torness, Hunterston and Chapelcross power stations and what such monitoring arrangements are.

Lewis Macdonald: Regulation of nuclear safety is a reserved matter which is the responsibility of the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate of the Health and Safety Executive. Monitoring of environmental discharges from nuclear power stations is a matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

Pollution

Ms Rosemary Byrne (South of Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive what prosecutions there have been in respect of sewage pollution in the last five years and which companies were involved.

The Executive has supplied the following corrected answer:

Colin Boyd QC: In the last five years 26 reports by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) under section 30F of the Control of Pollution Act 1974, relating to pollution of controlled waters by sewage, have resulted in the conviction of the following companies:

  

  Company
 No. of Convictions


 North of Scotland Water Authority 
 5


 East of Scotland Water Authority 
 1


 West of Scotland Water Authority 
 1


 Scottish Water  
 15


 Stirling Water Seafield Ltd 
 2


 DC Watson andns (Fenton Barns) 
  Ltd
 1


 SLC Turnberry Ltd
 1



  Details of prosecutions under other regulatory regimes or in cases reported by Specialist Reporting Agencies other than SEPA could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Post Offices

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to support the retention of rural post offices.

Allan Wilson: Post Offices and postal services are matters reserved to the UK Government.

  The Scottish Executive recognises the importance of the availability across Scotland of services provided by the Post Office network. We work with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Post Office Ltd to ensure that activity to support the rural Post Office network recognises the Scottish dimension. A DTI funding package secures the future of the network until March 2006. Funding is directed towards: subsidising the rural network so that there are no avoidable closures, developing and marketing new products and services deliverable through post offices, and piloting innovative solutions to rural postal service provision.

Prisoner Escorts

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-7810 by Cathy Jamieson on 20 May 2004, how many police officers (a) have been and (b) were expected to be redeployed at the completion of each phase of the contract.

Cathy Jamieson: The first phase of the contract, when complete, is expected to lead to the planned redeployment of 105 police officers. As indicated in the answer to S2W-3488 answered on 13 November 2003, the full contract would be expected to lead to the redeployment of up to 300 police officers to other operational duties. As regards the numbers to be redeployed at other phases, these will be subject to decisions on a revised implementation programme which, as indicated in the answer to S2W-7659 answered on 20 May 2004, the Scottish Prison Service is currently discussing with the company.

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

  http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Prisoner Escorts

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd will carry out custody duties of prisoners specified in section 102(2)(d) of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 under Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland .

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  Yes.

Prisoner Escorts

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to use its powers under section 39 of the Prisons (Scotland) Act 1989 to alter the rules for the management of prisoners in light of recent events concerning the operation of Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland .

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  The SPS keeps the Prison Rules under review but has no immediate plans to recommend changes to ministers.

Prisoner Escorts

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Escort Monitor has reported to it under clause 1.4.2.1 of Schedule 1 of Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland and, if not, when it expects to receive such reports and whether it will publish them.

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how often it expects the Escort Monitor to report to it under clause 1.4.2.1 of Schedule 1 of Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland .

Michael Matheson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many reports the Escort Monitor has made to ministers on (a) allegations made against prisoner custody officers acting in pursuance of contract arrangements and (b) alleged breaches of discipline on the part of prisoners for whose custody such officers so acting are responsible under clause 1.4.2 of Schedule 1 to Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland .

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish details of "reasonable evidence of failure(s) of the Services provided by the Service Provider to the Authority under the Contract", as referred to in Schedule 3, clause 5.4 of Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland .

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Schedule 3, section 11 of Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland, what action the authority will take if the service provider is found to store faulty equipment in its premises.

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive under what circumstances it will consider Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd to be in breach of its contract to provide prisoner escort and court custody services and what circumstances would lead the Executive to consider terminating the contract early.

Michael Matheson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether, with reference to Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland, it considers the escape of a prisoner to be a default, as defined in clause 1.12 of Schedule 3.

Michael Matheson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland, whether it considers the recurring escape of prisoners to be a default that would allow it to (a) give written notice to Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd under clause 14.2.1 of Schedule 3 to rectify the default or (b) terminate the contract with immediate effect under clause 14.2.2 of Schedule 3.

Michael Matheson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland, what evidence it has that Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd presently has in place all contracts of insurance required by clause 19.6 of Schedule 3.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  The Escort Monitor reports regularly to, and is part of the SPS. The SPS and Reliance have agreed that a performance summary will be agreed for each calendar month of the contract. The Performance Summary will be available for either party to publish as appropriate without further approval.

  It will only be available for publication following agreement of all the elements included in the Performance Summary. Subject to that, it will normally be agreed in the month following the performance period.

  These will include the total number of prisoner movements in the period, the percentage of deliveries to court achieved on time, the numbers of incidents of prisoners being unlawfully at large and the payment made to the service provider for the period.

  The SPS will publish this information on its web site alongside the contract.

Prisoner Escorts

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland, how many prisoner movements there have been since the service commencement date.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  There have been 9,440 prisoner movements up to and including 28 May 2004.

Prisoner Escorts

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland, what the estimated number of prisoner movements is expected to be per (a) month and (b) annum.

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the total value of each bid for the contract to provide prisoner escort and court custody services.

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether, with reference to Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland, it will detail the level of penalties, financial or otherwise, that could be incurred by Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for each weighting detailed in section 4 of Schedule 2.

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what sum will be received by it under clause 40.2 of Schedule 3 of Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland .

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what amount should be made payable for each prisoner unlawfully at large since the service commencement date, under Performance Measure 3a of clause 5.4.4 of Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland .

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the maximum amount is that it will receive as payment for each single incident involving multiple prisoners unlawfully at large and capped in aggregate within each 12-month period running from the service commencement date, as detailed in clause 5.4.4 of Schedule 2 of Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland .

Michael Matheson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland, why the meaning of "Relevant Industrial Action" has been removed from clause 19.3.3 of Schedule 3.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  Commercially sensitive information and information which would harm public safety or public order, or would prejudice the security of any building or penal institution is exempt from disclosure under Part II of the Code of Practice on Scottish Executive Information. These exemptions are subject to a public interest test, which the SPS has applied.

Prisoner Escorts

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Schedule 4 of Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland, what the (a) monthly and (b) annual charge is expected to be for each prisoner movement.

Michael Matheson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of the total charge for core and non-core services in clause 5.3.1 of Schedule 2 to Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland is at risk.

Michael Matheson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much it would be due to pay Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd under clause 19.3.2 of Schedule 3 to Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland if it terminated the contract for default by Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd.

Michael Matheson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland, why clause 9.2 of Schedule 3 has been removed.

Michael Matheson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland, for each written notice it has given to Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd under clause 14.2.1 of Schedule 3, what the date of the notice was; what the reason was for the notice, and whether it considers the default which was the subject of the notice, to be outstanding.

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the Scottish Prison Service charges for each trainee for the 10-day training course in control and restraint techniques.

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the subject matter is of clause 5.1.2.1 of Schedule 1 of Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland.

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish clause 5.1.2.1 of Schedule 1 of Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland.

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive through which prison transfer arrangements are co-ordinated for (a) Scottish male prisoners, (b) Scottish female prisoners and (c) prisoners escorted into the HM Prison Service within England and Wales.

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the subject matter is of clause 8.8.4 of Schedule 1 of Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland.

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish clause 8.8.4 of Schedule 1 of Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland.

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what information has been withheld in the header box after "1st Level Response" in Table 5 of Schedule 1 of Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland.

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the response times for 2nd level in Table 5 of Schedule 1 of Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland .

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish details of the performance and prisoner logging system referred to in clause 1.4.4.1 of Schedule 1 of Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Limited for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland .

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the standardised Prisoner Escort Record required under clause 1.7.1 of Schedule 1 of Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Limited for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland .

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody in Scotland , how incidents of fighting as a breach of prison discipline will be recorded and whether any reports of such incidents will be published.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  Commercially and operationally sensitive information is exempt from disclosure under Part II of the Code of Practice on Scottish Executive Information. These exemptions are subject to a public interest test, which the SPS has applied.

Prisoner Escorts

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Schedule 4 of Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland , whether it expects Phase 2 of the Implementation Programme to commence on 24 May 2004.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  The roll out did not commence on 24 May 2004.

Prisoner Escorts

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland , whether it expects phases 2, 3 and 4 of the implementation programme to be rolled out across Scotland within the months specified within the contract and, if it does not so expect, whether Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd will be held fully responsible.

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd will be liable to pay in implementation charges if it does not start any phase of the implementation programme on the due dates as detailed in Schedule 4, clause 2.2.2. of Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland , broken down by phase.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  The contract will be rolled out to other parts of Scotland when the SPS believes Reliance are ready to extend the service set out in the contract. The SPS and Reliance are currently discussing a revised implementation programme.

  Reliance will have to show that they are ready to provide a consistent satisfactory service. The SPS's assessment will depend on Reliance's proposed revised implementation programme.

  The tests the SPS will apply will include checks that Reliance have adequate staff and vehicles in place, that staff are fully trained and certificated and familiar with the task, that a communication plan has been implemented, that adequate contingency plans are in place and that necessary changes to the contract have been made.

Prisoner Escorts

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to its news release SEJD453r/2004, whether it has received a response from the Auditor General for Scotland in regard to an audit of the contract between it and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd and, if so, when an Audit Scotland investigation into whether the contract conforms to the relevant guidance and standards for such contracts will begin and how long such an investigation can be expected to take.

Cathy Jamieson: The Auditor General has indicated that a review of the contract would form a normal part of his review of the Scottish Prison Service's accounts; that he will bring forward that part of his work; and that he expects to report by September.

Prisoner Escorts

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will produce a summary of Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland .

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  The SPS has published the contract. The SPS has no plans to prepare or publish a summary.

Prisoner Escorts

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the tender documents which led to the signing of Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland .

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  The SPS has no plans to publish these documents as they contain information which is commercially sensitive.

Prisoner Escorts

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it determined to have a single rate of penalty for the release in error of prisoners under Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland or whether that determination was made by another body.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  Service credits were negotiated between the SPS and Reliance.

Prisoner Escorts

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many companies, individuals and organisations tendered for the contract to provide prisoner escort and court custody services.

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many bids were received for the contract to provide prisoner escort and court custody services.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-7556 answered on 20 May 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Prisoner Escorts

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd submitted the lowest bid in cash terms for the contract to provide prisoner escort and court custody services.

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria it used for determining value for money when considering tenders for the contract to provide prisoner escort and court custody services.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-7557 answered on 20 May 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Prisoner Escorts

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider amending Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland to ensure that penalties for prisoner releases reflect the severity of the crime for which the prisoner was convicted.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  The SPS has no plans to revise the service credits set out in the contract.

Prisoner Escorts

Michael Matheson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many incidents of each type set out in section 4 of Schedule 2 to Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland have occurred for each month of the operation of the contract.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  The SPS and Reliance have agreed that a Performance Summary will be agreed for each calendar month of the contract. The Performance Summary will be available for either party to publish as appropriate without further approval.

Prisoner Escorts

Michael Matheson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive why the contract monthly target standard has been removed from Appendix A of Schedule 2 to Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland .

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  The SPS published a redacted version consistent with the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information.

Prisoner Escorts

Michael Matheson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-1869 by Cathy Jamieson on 9 September 2003, what the distinction is between the contract monthly target standard that has been removed from appendix A of Schedule 2 to Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland and the quarterly baseline points total in paragraph 3 of Schedule F to Minute of Agreement between the Secretary of State for Scotland and Kilmarnock Prison Services Limited for the Design, Construction, Management and Financing of a Prison at Kilmarnock .

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  The two contracts are with different service providers for different services and were concluded at different times.

Prisoner Escorts

Michael Matheson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd has fallen below the (a) monthly target standard and (b) minimum threshold standard of Appendix A of Schedule 2 to Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland .

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  The SPS and Reliance have agreed that a Performance Summary will be agreed for each calendar month of the contract. The Performance Summary will be available for either party to publish as appropriate without prior approval.

Prisoner Escorts

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail a revised implementation programme for Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland .

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  The contract will be rolled out to other parts of Scotland when the SPS believes Reliance are ready to extend the service set out in the contract. The SPS and Reliance are currently discussing a revised implementation programme.

  Reliance will have to show that they are ready to provide a consistent satisfactory service. The SPS's assessment will depend on Reliance's proposed revised implementation programme.

  The tests the SPS will apply will include checks that Reliance have adequate staff and vehicles in place, that staff are fully trained and certificated and familiar with the task, that a communication plan has been implemented, that adequate contingency plans are in place and that necessary changes to the contract have been made.

Prisoner Escorts

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the provision for transport of prisoners under Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland includes hospitals as relevant premises, as specified under section 102(3) of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, and, if so, how often Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd has undertaken such transport.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  Yes; 32 movements up to and including 28 May 2004.

Prisoner Escorts

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of the circumstances leading up to each prisoner becoming unlawfully at large, including as a result of release in error, whilst being escorted by Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd staff, since the commencement of the contract.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  This information is collated by the contract monitor. It has been agreed that a summary of performance data will be produced.

Prisoner Escorts

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the per capita cost has been of re-apprehending prisoners unlawfully at large, excluding prisoners who abscond and including prisoners released in error, (a) for each year since 1999 and (b) since the start of the contract with Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the provision of prisoner escort and court custody services.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  This information is not available.

Prisoner Escorts

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many prisoners have been unlawfully at large, excluding prisoners who abscond and including those released in error (a) in each year since 1999 and (b) since the start of the contract with Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the provision of prisoner escort and court custody services.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  The information in relation to releases in error is not available for the period before the Reliance contract. Reliance have accepted responsibility for two prisoners who have been unlawfully at large for periods since the start of the contract. Other potential release in error are being investigated.

Prisoner Escorts

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many additional prison officers could have been employed using the resources that have been allocated to Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd under Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland .

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  The contract with Reliance frees up prison and police officers who would otherwise have been deployed to escort duties.

Prisoner Escorts

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many additional police officers could have been employed using the resources that have been allocated to Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd under Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland .

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  The contract with Reliance frees up Prison and Police Officers who would otherwise have been deployed to escort duties.

Prisoner Escorts

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many prison officer hours have been released from prisoner transport duties as a result of the contract with Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the provision of prisoner escort and court custody services.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  Around 200 officers will be available once the contract is fully in operation.

Prisoner Escorts

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many police hours have been released from prisoner transport duties as a result of the contract with Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the provision of prisoner escort and court custody services.

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many police officers it estimates will be released for frontline duties as a result of the contract with Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the provision of prisoner escort and court custody services once the contract has been fully implemented.

Cathy Jamieson: As indicated in the answer given to question S2W-3488 on 13 November 2003, the full contract would be expected to lead to the redeployment of up to 300 police officers to other operational duties. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

  http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Prisoner Escorts

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what action the service provider will take in respect of the late payment of invoices, as referred to in Schedule 3, clause 5.1.1 of Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland .

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  The Service Provider may take the action specified in Schedule 3, Clause 5.1.1.

Prisoner Escorts

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Schedule 3, clause 5.3 in Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland , (a) what the percentage rate for deduction is and (b) what percentage will be deducted in respect of any disputes or claims against the service provider.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  Schedule 3, Clause 5.3 does not specify percentage deductions.

Prisoner Escorts

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the service provider will have the right to appeal in the event of a dispute or arbitration procedure where there exists reasonable evidence of failure(s), as referred to in Schedule 3, clause 5.4 of Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland .

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Schedule 3, clause 4.4 of Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland , whether the service provider has the right of appeal in the event that the authority makes any variation to the charges.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  Schedule 3, Clause 17, sets out provisions in relation to disputes and arbitration.

Prisoner Escorts

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Schedule 3, clause 4.3 of Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland , whether it will publish any relevant documentation detailing any suggested adjustment to the operational procedures or costs or other effect of the legislative change upon the ability of the service provider to undertake the contract.

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Schedule 3, clause 4.4 of Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland , whether, in the event that the authority and the service provider agree any variation to the charges, it will publish such changes.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  Such circumstances have not arisen and the SPS has therefore made no such suggestions.

Prisoner Escorts

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the specific measures to prevent the accidental release of prisoners were that Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd agreed to undertake during the meeting between the company and the Minister for Justice on 12 April 2004.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  None. The minister did not attend the meeting which the SPS had with the other agencies and Reliance to discuss these matters.

Prisoner Escorts

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many additional members of staff have been provided by Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd to handle the expected workload at Glasgow courts following the agreement to do so at the meeting between the company and the Scottish Prison Service on 12 April 2004.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  While staffing numbers are a matter for Reliance, the company has said that the majority of staff originally recruited for Phase II have been assigned to Phase I to improve performance in Phase I.

Prisoner Escorts

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what additional input there has been from senior Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd staff to ensure a more efficient service following the meeting between the company and the Scottish Prison Service on the 12 April 2004.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  This is a matter for Reliance, but the SPS understands that Reliance senior managers have made regular extended visits to Scotland.

Prisoner Escorts

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many senior Scottish Prison Service staff have been detailed to monitor the effective delivery of services by Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd to Glasgow courts.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  A variable number, depending on operational need.

Prisoner Escorts

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that there has been significant improvement in the performance of Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd following the meeting between the company and the Scottish Prison Service on 12 April 2004.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  Yes. The improvement is set out in the SPS memorandum sent to the Justice 2 Committee.

Prisoner Escorts

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive why aspects of Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Limited for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland have been omitted from the document published on the Scottish Prison Service website on 20 May 2004.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  Aspects of the contract have been omitted in accordance with the exemptions contained in part 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information.

Prisoner Escorts

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland , what appropriate operational measures it will use to restrict and control the potential flow of illegal drugs or unauthorised articles to and via prisoners and into premises.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  All parties have reviewed their practices designed to restrict and control the potential flow of illegal drugs or unauthorised articles to and via prisoners and into premises. These operational matters are not published in line with the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information for reasons of public safety and the security of penal establishments.

Prisoner Escorts

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether, with reference to Schedule 3, clause 6.4 of Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland , it will publish the monthly report of the service provider's performance and, if so, what the format of the report will be.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  The SPS and Reliance agreed that a performance summary will be agreed for each calendar month of the contract. The performance summary will be available for either party to publish as appropriate without further approval. The SPS will publish this information on its website alongside the contract.

Prisoner Escorts

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether, with reference to Schedule 3, section 13 of Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland , the service provider will publish its Service Delivery Quality Plan.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  Reliance is obliged under the contract to make a plan to maintain and where necessary improve the quality of service. Publication of such a plan is a matter for Reliance.

Prisoner Escorts

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether, with reference to Schedule 3, section 13 of Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland , it will publish survey levels of prisoner satisfaction on a regular basis and, if so, in what format the survey results will be reported.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  The SPS has no such plans.

Prisoner Escorts

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Schedule 3, section 13 of Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland , how many times the authority intends to review the Service Delivery Quality Plan during the contract period.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  The SPS will review the Service Delivery Quality Plan as necessary.

Prisoner Escorts

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Schedule 3, section 13 of Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland , what procedures the authority will use to carry out full assessment visits and spot checks of any location or vehicle utilised by the service provider.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  The SPS will adopt such procedures as are required to render spot-checks and assessment visits effective.

Prisoner Escorts

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether, with reference to Schedule 3, section 13 of Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland , the authority will publish an assessment of visits and spot checks of any location or vehicle utilised by the service provider.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  The SPS has no plans to publish assessment or spot check reports.

Prisoner Escorts

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether, with reference to Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland , the service provider will publish its policies, rules and systems in respect of health and safety.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  This is a matter for Reliance.

Prisoner Escorts

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what training Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd has implemented to ensure compliance with section 2.5 of Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland .

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  The scope of the training is detailed in Unit 9, Table 1 of Schedule 1 in the published edition of the contract.

Prisoner Escorts

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether section 3.4 of Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland was implemented for any of the prisoners released in error by Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd and, if so, whether it will provide details.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  No.

Prisoner Escorts

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the anti-bullying strategy required by clause 3.5.1 of Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland was in effect when James McCormick was released in error by Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  The provisions of the contract were in operation from 4 April 2004.

Prisoner Escorts

Michael Matheson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland , what it considers to be the difference between a service failure, which is not defined in the contract, and a default, which is defined in clause 1.12 of Schedule 3.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  The SPS consider service failure to be a failure as described at clause 6.2 of Schedule 3.

Prisoner Escorts

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what training provider has been engaged to train Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd’s staff to comply with section 4.11 of Schedule 1 of Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland .

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  The contract obliges Reliance to arrange incident command training, to participate in the SPS’s training, and develop its training and incident management procedures. The choice of a training provider is for Reliance.

Prisoner Escorts

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how often Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd has been required to escort a prisoner to a relevant premise outside Scotland.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  No such escorts have taken place.

Prisoner Escorts

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland , for how many years prisoner records will be retained after the termination of the contract.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  The SPS has not yet decided.

Prisoner Escorts

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland , whether it will publish a report on the current condition of equipment and transport.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  The SPS has no plans to publish such a report.

Prisoner Escorts

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it, or the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), had the opportunity to observe the testing of the prisoner logging system referred to in clause 1.4.4.1 of Schedule 1 of Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Limited for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland prior to the Service Commencement Date and whether it, or the SPS, took advantage of such an opportunity.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  Yes. The SPS took advantage of the opportunity.

Prisoner Escorts

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish details of the Service Provider’s Implementation Programme referred to in clause 1.4.4.1 of Schedule 1 of Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Limited for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland .

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  The information requested forms Schedule 6 of the SPS's contract with Reliance and was published on 20 May 2004.

Prisoner Escorts

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what review and rationalisation of Prisoner Escort Forms has been undertaken as required under clause 1.7.1 of Schedule 1 of Contract between The Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Limited for the Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services in Scotland .

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  As required by clause 1.7.1 of Schedule A, the review and rationalisation resulted in a standardised Prisoner Escort Record.

Prisoner Escorts

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-7810 by Cathy Jamieson on 20 May 2004, how many police officers have been redeployed to date as a result of the first phase of the contracting out of prisoner escort and court custody services.

Cathy Jamieson: Strathclyde Police expects to redeploy up to 105 police officers as a consequence of Phase 1.

Scottish Executive Contracts

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that there are circumstances in which overriding public interest should overrule the right of companies to withhold the release of commercially sensitive information.

Cathy Jamieson: Yes. Each case should be considered on its merits, but the public interest should normally be taken into account where the possibility of withholding commercially sensitive information is being considered.

Skye Bridge

Jim Mather (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to the opinion of Professor Mark Poustie, Professor of Law at Strathclyde University, that there is now doubt regarding the legality of the continued collection of tolls at the Skye Bridge by the concessionaire in light of the information from the Minister for Transport last year that £27 million had been collected and that subsequent toll collection could now have fulfilled the terms of the tolling licence by collecting £23.64 million at 1990 prices.

  The member has provided the following Gaelic translation:

  A dh’ fhaighneachd de Riaghaltas na h-Alba, dè an fhreagairt a tha aige do bheachd an Àrd-ollaimh Mark Poustie, Àrd-ollamh Lagha ann an Oilthigh Shrath Chluaidh, gu bheil mì-chinnt a-nis ann air laghalachd nan cìsean a tha an Neach-togail-chìsean fhathast a’ cruinneachadh air Drochaid an Eilean Sgitheanaich, às dèidh do Mhinistear na Còmhdhail ainmeachadh an-uiridh gun deach £27 millean a chruinneachadh, agus gum b’ urrainn do na cìsean a chaidh a thogail bhon uairsin a bhith air cumhachan a’ chunnraidh airson nan cìsean a choilionadh às dèidh dhaibh airgead a chruinneachadh a tha luach £23.64 millean aig prìsean 1990.

Nicol Stephen: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-8105 on 25 May 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

  The Scottish Executive has provided the following translation:

  Tha mi airson aire a' bhuill a thoirt chun fhreagairt a chaidh a thoirt do cheist S2W-08105, 25/4/2004. Tha freagairtean nan CP sgrìobhte rim faotainn air làrach-lìn na Pàrlamaid, agus lorgar an goireas-rannsachaidh aig http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Social Inclusion

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether any research is being undertaken to examine social exclusion issues for people with communication impairment and any difficulties they have in accessing (a) education, (b) justice and (c) health services.

Ms Margaret Curran:

  School Education

  The Executive has commissioned Dr Gavin Reid, of Edinburgh University, to carry out an audit of training provision made for dyslexia by education authorities across Scotland. The final report of the audit is due in late May/early June 2004.

  The National Deaf Children’s Society is receiving funding over two years (2004-06) to audit education authority policies for deaf children. Training for education professionals will also be provided and good practice guidance produced.

  The Executive has funded the Scottish Sensory Centre since October 2000 to undertake the Achievement of Deaf Pupils Project. This will enable more accurate information on the numbers of deaf pupils in Scotland to be collected, and on their attainments. Such information will identify where improvements are required to improve the quality of provision. Executive funding will conclude March 2005.

  Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) will carry out a specialist inspection of educational provision for children and young people with autistic spectrum disorders throughout Scotland. The inspection will include other services, such as therapy services, where this has an impact on a child's education. It is expected that this work will take place over 2005-06 with some scoping activities taking place later this year. HMIE will prepare a report for ministers which outlines the current situation, highlights good practice and provides recommendations for moving forward.

  Further and Higher Education

  Scottish Further Education Funding Council (SFEFC) and Scottish Higher education Funding Council (SHEFC) have commissioned a range of research into how effectively colleges and higher education institutions are meeting the requirements of disability legislation and are meeting the needs of disabled students in general. This includes a piece of research into how colleges and higher education institutions are meeting the needs of deaf students in particular, which is due to be completed by the end of May 2004.

  SFEFC and SHEFC plan in 2005-06 to commission further research into how colleges and higher education institutions are meeting their obligations under relevant disability legislation. In addition, SFEFC and SHEFC are currently undertaking a root and branch review of their approach to widening participation to lifelong learning, which will address the issue of access to and participation in lifelong learning for people with disabilities. This review is expected to be completed by the end of 2004.

  Justice

  The working group which reviewed legal information and advice provision in Scotland recognised in its report of 2001 that, at present, the service provision of legal advice and information is inconsistent and patchy. A consistent theme underlying their recommendations was partnership working and improved co-ordination.

  Legal Information and Advice Pilots aim to produce a strategic plan for the provision of legal advice services in an area and to ensure better co-ordination and better referral mechanisms.

  The Scottish Executive ran a programme of pilot partnerships from May 2003 to April 2004. Three of these pilots covered specific geographical areas and the 4th was a national thematic pilot covering the advice needs of disabled people and was chaired by the Disability Rights Commission. The pilot partnerships are in the process of finalising their strategic plans. The recommendations from these plans will feed in to the Strategic Review of the Delivery of Legal Aid, Advice and Information which will report later this year.

  Health Services

  As part of the Patient Focus and Public Involvement programme of work, the Health Department have established a partnership arrangement with the Disability Rights Commission to ensure that the NHS is provided with support and guidance to develop responsive and sensitive services. As part of this, the Good Practice Guidance Equality for Disabled People in the NHS in Scotland: Access to Services will be updated and will reflect the latest evidence and research in communication impairment. Please also refer to the answers to parliamentary questions all answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search site can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search

  S2W-6895 answered 29 March 2004, 7379 28 April 2004, 7380 28 April 2004, 7381 28 April 2004, 08279 26 May 2004, 8280 26 May 2004, 8281 26 May 2004 and 8489 answered on the 8 June 2004.

Sport

Mr Brian Monteith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-8109 by Mr Frank McAveety on 21 May 2004, when it expects to finalise consideration of the audit of local sports facilities commissioned by sportscotland and, if no date has been set, whether it will set a target for completion.

Mr Frank McAveety: The reports have not yet been finalised and received by Executive officials. It is therefore not possible to give a definite date but I would expect the reports to have been considered by the autumn.

Student Finance

Mr David Davidson (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Universities Scotland regarding top-up fees and what the outcome was.

Mr Jim Wallace: The impact of the proposed introduction of variable tuition fees in England on Scottish higher education institutions and on Scottish students has been fully considered by the Executive in detailed discussions with Universities Scotland, and other organisations, as part of the Phase 3 Review of Higher Education. We continue to work closely with Universities Scotland on the policy response to the Phase 3 findings and on other higher education related issues.